April 2015 - Canadian Immigrant

APRIL 2015 I FREE

ARRIVE. SUCCEED. INSPIRE.

Getting

THINGS DONE Publications mail agreement number 40011993

Tech duo Hussain Bandukwala and Shabbir Evershine launch neighbourhood jobs app

Vote now for

Top 25!

Living in the city or country?

New investor program fail

LEARNING FOR LIFE April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

1

UPFRONT

CONTENTS REGULARS 4 | OUR TAKE/YOUR TAKE 6 | FUSION

Cover photo by Alessandra Shinado

›› PROFILE: Victoria Hunt ›› NATIONAL NEWS BRIEFS ›› CANSPEAK: English sayings explained

15 | IMMIGRANT SETTLEMENT GUIDE 19 | BUSINESS

›› SMALL BUSINESS: Top 5 challenges ›› Muslim event planner Mariam Elchamaa

25 | DRIVING

›› What’s the right car for you?

10 | SUCCESS STORY

27 | WELCOME TO CANADA

›› Mortgage tips for first-time homebuyers

Neighbourly business

31 | SETTLEMENT

Two Pakistani-born immigrants launch a community-based services app to hire out your chores

›› Learning about food ›› IMMIGRATION LAW: Investor program fail?

34 | BACK PAGE

13 | SUCCESS4U BOOTCAMP

Lifelong learning

›› TOP TIPS: Advice from our Top 25 ›› HUMOUR BY HEMETERIO

A new practical print and online series for newcomers

22 |

17 | LIVING

›› JOB SEARCH STRATEGIES: Interview technique tips ›› CAREER COACH: Tweet your way to a job

City or country?

What lifestyle are you looking for in Canada? Urban centre, rural peace or suburban middle ground?

Respond to Canada’s need for immigrants.

Become a Regulated Immigration Consultant Full-time | Part-time | Online Contact a program adviser at 604.899.0803 or email admissions@ashtoncollege.com.

604.899.0803 | 1.866.759.6006 www.ashtoncollege.com Ashton College

we build careers

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

3

UPFRONT

VOLUME 12, ISSUE 4 APRIL 2015 Group Publishers Gautam Datt Sharma Sanjay Agnihotri Editor Margaret Jetelina mjetelina@metroland.com Senior Editor Baisakhi Roy broy@metroland.com

our take Vote today!

Thanks to our panel of judges — Manwar Khan, Roberto Hausman, Aleksandra Nasteska, Gloria Suhasini and Karim Chandani — who reviewed the hundreds of nominations we received for this year’s RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrant Awards. With

Creative Director & Editorial Design Safi Nomani snomani@metroland.com Digital Media Developer Kamil Mytnik Advertising Sales Sr. Ad Manager (B.C. and Alberta) Alla Gordeeva alla@canadianimmigrant.ca Tel: 778 558 3397

their help, we narrowed down the nominations to a shortlist of 75 finalists.

Now comes the voting! This is the fun part, where we encourage all our readers to go online, review the biographies of the 75 finalists and vote for their favourites. The list features a diverse bunch from across Canada, including the likes of restaurateur Vikram Vij, celebrity chef Susur Lee, real estate mogul Bob Dhillon and author Kim Thúy. See canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25 for the full list of 75 finalists!

The voting stage lasts until May 11, after which we will tabulate the votes in combination with a second round of judging, and determine the final Top 25, whom will be announced in late June and be featured in our July magazine.

Sr. Ad Manager (Toronto) Ricky (Kawaljit) Bajaj rbajaj@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8170

Margaret Jetelina Editor, Canadian Immigrant

National Sales Manager Varun Munjal vmunjal@metroland.com Tel: 905 273 8169

“LIKE” US ON

FACEBOOK/CANIMMIGRANT.

Sales Events & Marketing Coordinator Laura Jackman ljackman@metroland.com General Inquiries: info@canadianimmigrant.ca Circulation/Distribution Inquiries: ljackman@metroland.com ISSN 1910-4146

Subscription rate in Canada: $36 plus HST for 12 issues Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the publisher

Publications mail agreement number: 40065097 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: 3145 Wolfedale Road Mississauga, Ontario, L5C 3A9 Printed on recycled paper.

Toronto Circulation 50,000 copies Vancouver Circulation 30,000 copies Calgary Circulation 3,000 copies Canadian Immigrant is published monthly and distributed free throughout Vancouver, Calgary and Toronto. Canadian Immigrant welcomes submissions, but is not responsible for unsolicited material. Canadian Immigrant is a publication of Metroland Media Group, a division of Toronto Star Newspapers Limited.

Entire contents property of Canadian Immigrant.

canadianimmigrant.ca TORONTO 3145 Wolfedale Road, Mississauga Ontario, L5C 3A9 Tel: 905 273 8111, Fax: 905 277 9917 VANCOUVER 793 8th Street East North Vancouver, BC, V7L 2A1 Tel: 778 558 3397

4

canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

your take Good tool for the classroom

Hope all of you at the Canadian Immigrant are fine! This is to tell you how much I enjoyed reading your magazine and using it in my classrooms.

Congratulations! I read a few times all these extraordinary bios and wonderful statements regarding professional achievements, inspiring figures, overcoming barriers. Moreover, I like reading all articles on immigration and settlement issues.

These pieces are very informative, interesting and particularly educational.

In order to achieve all of this, it is important to give children a clear perspective on life from an early age. They should be aware of the options they have and how to choose the right ones. The ability to think clearly while making a decision should be developed and a little bit of time dedicated to reflection.

Time, persuasion and understanding are the

Ljerka Susanna Lukic, Toronto

Enjoying the ride

The journey of life is interesting to say the least. One can almost compare it to a rollercoaster ride, with its ups and downs and twists and turns.

As you ride on this complex and lengthy rollercoaster, it is crucial to guide your children to set their targets and goals.

Teach them how to plan for the future, to work hard to achieve their goals, to stay focused, to be strong and not to give up as they face certain hardships. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

UPFRONT key factors. As a parent, it is necessary to take out some time to explain and discuss things with the children. Find out their opinions on different subjects and then, if necessary, share yours.

In the end, encourage them to take action. Of course, the enormity of these decisions depends on their age.

It is vital that the children take each life experience as a learning exercise. They will make mistakes, but it is alright as long as the lessons learned help to build skills.

In this ever-changing world, it is also important for children to have the ability to make the most of this journey. They have to be prepared for what comes their way and to maximize on what life has to offer them.

Resilience can be acquired by giving them responsibilities and encouraging them to take challenges from an early age. It can be motivated by rewarding for the effort and not the results.

At all times it is important to be role models and practise what you preach. It is essential for parents to love their children, to support them, to understand them and to guide them. The best way to do it is by keeping the lines of communication open.

Whether it’s a bumpy rollercoaster ride or a smooth sail, it is mandatory to teach children to set achievable goals and to try hard to achieve them. In the process, they should develop the ability to overcome the barriers and enjoy the ride!

Become a Healthcare Professional within a Year!

Tazeen Davar

Kudos to letter writer

As a loyal reader of Canadian Immigrant, I have to tell you that letter “Push and pull” in your February 2015 issue is great. Everything well said and very common to most of immigrants from all over the world. Great job done by Chanda Chandalala.

Dragana Mitrovic, Toronto

WANT TO SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS? EMAIL MJETELINA@METROLAND.COM.

Most Programs Have Practicum         

Medical Laboratory Technician Esthetics ECG/Phlebotomy Technician Community Service Worker Personal Support Worker Physiotherapist Assistant Occupational Therapist Assistant Medical Office Assistant Early Childcare Assistant

Financial Assistance May Be Available to Those Who Qualify Are You Eligible for Second Career Funding? Call to Find Out Medical Laboratory Technician/OSMT Approved Medical Professionals May Qualify for Credits for Prior Learning

Ltitikfifiti fiti titifik fifi fitifi fififififififififififififififififi fififififififififififififififififififififififififi

titititi tiAN HtiLP!

Gfifi fififififififi titi fifikfifiti fitifi fitifififififi titifi fifififiti Vfifififi fifi fifi titititifitififitififi fitififititi tititititititititififi tifififi 1-888-865-2437 *titititi tififitititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititi tititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititititi

647.931.5838 416.466.6107

study@andersoncollege.com andersoncollege.com Robetech Institute Inc. o/a Anderson College of Health, Business and Technology is a Registered Career College under the PCC Act 2005

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

5

UPFRONT

fusion news. people. events.

PROFILE Photo by Kaz Novak

VICTORIA HUNT Shopkeeper mom

V

ictoria Hunt urgers newcomers to get out and meet new people.

It’s something the British-born immigrant does every day as owner of Carousel Kids, a baby and kids' boutique in Hamilton, Ontario. The store, which Hunt opened in July 2012, just a year or so after she arrived in Canada, offers her customers gently used and new clothes, books, toys and equipment for ages newborn to 12 years, and maternity clothes.

in the hotel and hospitality industry have helped me run my retail business.

What brought you to Hamilton?

What has helped you settle here?

My husband is Polish and I am English. I did not want to move to Poland and my husband was not keen on moving to England. So we compromised. I had been to Canada as a child because my aunt lives in Burlington and I found the people here to be nice. We moved to Canada because we thought it would be a better place to raise our children.

What skills, experience, business knowledge and global connections did you bring?

I have vast experience in hotel management and customer service.

I have worked in Thailand and Maldives, developing guest service systems for five-star hotels. The skills acquired through working

Face-to-face

Work and Learn

Upgrade your skills

Victoria Hunt credits her kids’ boutique for helping her settle in Canada.

I would say that having the store helped me settle in. Once I had the focus of a business to run and also considering the kind of business I was in, I was meeting moms and families, and suddenly I had an extended network and friends. Some of my store customers became my best friends. When I first came here, I knew my aunt, but I didn't have any friends here. My husband would be at work and I would be sitting home with the baby. It gets kind of lonely. Opening the store changed that, because now I have friends everywhere.

Do you belong to any professional networks or organizations?

Hamilton Small Business Enterprise Centre (SBEC) at Planning and Economic Development, City of Hamilton has been very helpful … in guiding and helping me set up my business. He connected me to Canadian Youth Business Foundation (now called Futurpreneur). I am part of the Waterdown Area Moms Facebook group, too. I used it originally for the business, but in reality it is just fun to meet and hang out with other moms.

Can you describe an experience when you felt successful since your arrival in Hamilton?

The store opening and also when the store had its first year anniversary.

What is your favourite place?

I love the waterfalls. There are so many of them in Hamilton.

What surprised you about living here?

Study English FREE in the Tri-Cities!

Join our Foundations English classes for adults which focus on basic reading, writing, speaking and listening skills.

Learn English and Prepare for the Citizenship Exam.

ongoing registration Thursdays - ongoing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4:00 - 6:30 PM

please bring: 2 Photo ID

1 Proof of Canadian Status 3 Two proofs of BC Residency

REGISTER AT:

montgomery adult learning centre 380 Montgomery Street, Coquitlam British Columbia, V3K 5G2

6

canadianimmigrant.ca

for more information call or visit

604.936.4261 www.ce43.com

April 2015

April ad

The cost of living is here is more expensive than England. No one believes me when I say this, but it really is. The only thing that is cheaper here is gas for the car.

What advice do you have for people who are new to Hamilton?

Don’t sit at home all by yourself. Get out and avail yourself of every opportunity to meet people — whether it’s socially, professionally or for business. You can join a sewing club or any other network at the library — it doesn't matter, because once you have some friendships, that is when you start to feel that you will be OK.

What are your future plans?

We have had regular customers from Stoney Creek and Mississauga. I would like to expand the current store and open a second store. I can’t honestly say it is in the plan, because budget-wise we are not there yet.

But it would be nice to have stores in other places.

Reprinted with permission from Hamilton Spectator, a Metroland Media newspaper. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

MUNERA PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION MUNERA is a Canadian law firm providing a complete range of personal, business and advocacy legal services to individuals, entrepreneurs, small and mid-size businesses, corporations, not-for profit organizations, financial institutions, and governments in the following areas: IMMIGRATION LAW Temporary Residence (Tourist/ Business Visitors)

Skilled Immigrants (Express Entry)

Family Sponsorship

Citizenship Applications

Study/Work Permits

Provincial Nominees

Live-In Caregiver

Citizenship Appeals

Labour Market Assessments (LMA)

Self Employed Persons/Start Up Visa

Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds

Inadmissibility Issues

Intra-Company Transfers

Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Program

Quebec Immigration

US Immigration

REAL ESTATE LAW

BUSINESS LAW

TAX AND ESTATE PLANNING

LITIGATION

Residential Purchase/Sale

Corporate/ Commercial

Wills and Powers of Attorney

Commercial

Condominium Purchase/Sale

Franchises

Estate Planning

Construction

Mortgage Refinancing

International Trade

Trusts

Employment

Commercial Leases

International Contracts

Tax Planning

Insurance

Toll Free/Fax: 1.877.366.7589 Toronto

67 Yonge St. Suite 1102 Toronto, ON M5E 1J8 T: 416.850.5371

Ottawa

45 O’Connor St. Suite 1105 Ottawa, ON K1P 1A4 T: 613.800.8659

Contact us at info@munera.ca

www.munera.ca Montreal

600 De Maisonneuve Blvd.

Suite 1700 Montreal, QC H3A 3J2 T: 514.800.8679

FUSION

CANSPEAK Canada >> Internationally educated occupational therapists planning to register for practice in Canada (except Quebec) will now have a new streamlined process to begin accreditation. The Association of Canadian Occupational Therapy Regulatory Organizations is launching a new substantial equivalency assessment system (SEAS) on May 1, 2015. Once applicants have been assessed through SEAS to determine if their credentials are substantially equivalent to Canadian-educated occupational therapists, they can apply to a provincial occupational therapy regulatory body for registration.

Alberta >> According to the Government of Alberta, many Alberta provincial nominees are asking if they can use their Alberta immigrant nominee program certificate for the federal Express Entry system, but they cannot. Those who have created an Express Entry profile should not indicate that they are an Alberta provincial nominee.

Ontario >> Hire Immigrants Ottawa and the Employer Council of Champions presented four Employer Excellence Awards at the 2015 Employer Council of Champions Summit in March. The four award winners were Business Development Bank of Canada, Ottawa Catholic School Board, Pinecrest-Queensway Community Health Centre and Epocal. “The four award winners provide concrete examples of the actions and policies employers can undertake to create diverse and inclusive workplaces, and we thank them for sharing their success stories,” says Gaye Moffet, co-chair, Employer Council of Champions.

8

canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

Nothing ventured, nothing gained

If you don’t take any risks or venture out, how can you expect to achieve anything? That’s what this expression is trying to express.

Rome was not built in a day

Sometimes it takes time to build something of value — such as a successful new life in Canada.

Virtue is its own reward

Don’t expect praise or rewards for acting in a correct or moral way. Do it because it’s the right thing to do.

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

LEARNING THAT MAKES A DIFFERENCE Meet Rob, Nadia, Candice, Coneli, Jewel and Claudia – just a few of the people who have achieved inspiring success with the help of our Continuing Education courses. The skills, connections and confidence they gained made it possible for them to achieve their goals.

Read their stories on our website, and see the difference you can make in your own life with George Brown College.

CHOOSE FROM EVENING, WEEKEND AND SOME DAYTIME COURSES IN Arts and Design Business and Legal Studies Communication and Languages

Rob

Nadia

Candice

Coneli

Jewel

Claudia

Construction and Trades

Languages

Health Services

Emergency Management Health Sciences and Community Services Hospitality and Culinary Arts Liberal Arts and Sciences Makeup and Esthetics Technology and Trades PLUS DISTANCE EDUCATION

Fashion Studies

Writing and Publishing

Esthetics

coned.georgebrown.ca Register now for spring courses!

SUCCESS STORY

NEIGHBOURLY

BUSINESS Two Pakistani-born immigrants launch a community-based services app to hire out your chores

BY LISA EVANS PHOTOS BY ALESSANDRO SHINADO

10 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

N

eighbours helping neighbours. That’s the concept behind two Pakistani-born immigrants’ technology start-up LocaWoka — an app that allows busy people to outsource their daily errands and chores to others in their area who are looking to make some extra money.

Co-founders Shabbir Evershine and Hussain Bandukwala came up with the concept on their morning commute. One day, Evershine, who lives in Aurora, Ontario, overheard a fellow passenger say that he wished there was a way to find work closer to home. “This person was coming all the way from Mississauga and going to the east side of Toronto,” he says. Other commuters’ conversations typically involved complaints about their busy lives, weekends spent running errands like grocery shopping, cleaning the house and mowing the lawn. All these chores meant little time for themselves and their families.

After hearing all of these complaints, Evershine was hit with an idea — what if there were an online service that allowed people to outsource the errands they’re too busy to do, thus freeing up their time to do the things they really enjoy, while helping others earn some extra money in their own neighbourhood?

LocaWoka (a name play on “local worker”) was born. The idea is simple: posters can advertise the

entrepreneurs in the fields of science, technology and social innovation. In 2013, they participated in a competition MaRS was holding for technology startup companies. Of 110 startups that applied and pitched their concepts, only 10 were selected — including among them, LocaWoka. “We didn’t win first prize, but we got a lot of traction in terms of supporters,” says Evershine. The advisers at MaRS helped Evershine and Bandukwala to firm up their business plan and better understand the market dynamics to start their business. “Getting the confidence from MaRS not only helped our concept, but helped us know that we were moving in the right direction,” says Bandukwala.

The following year, LocaWoka was selected for Google’s NEXT program — an eight-week accelerator program led by a group of expert mentors who help startups hone their customer development skills, pitch to investors and get ready to bring their product to market. After completing the program, LocaWoka did a soft launch in October 2014, focusing in on Evershine’s city of residence — Aurora — an area they felt housed the target demographic for their app. “These people are commuting, they usually spend an hour or two on the road or the train. They have families with small kids. These are people who need assistance or support,” explains Evershine.

We both wanted to do something that had social impact.”

Photo by Alessandro Shinado

— Shabbir Evershine

Business partners Hussain Bandukwala (left) and Shabbir Evershine have most of their meetings over coffee or lunch.

jobs they want completed, what they will pay and ask if there’s anyone around them who is willing to do the job. People who have the skills to do the job can reply and offer their services. As the tagline suggests, the app helps people “get things done.”

Although all job postings are screened by LocaWoka, the site simply acts as a forum to connect posters with jobseekers and doesn’t manage any financial transactions. The selfpolicing platform is similar in structure to eBay in that users can leave rankings and reviews of services rendered and of the temporary employers.

Evershine and Bandukwala’s partnership on this project was actually the result of a chance meeting at a North York coffee shop. When they began chatting, they realized they had several things in common. Both were of Pakistani origin, had immigrated to Canada after studying in the United States, and were technology and management consultants who were looking to do something in the technology startup world. “We both wanted to do something that had social impact,” says Evershine. The two became fast friends, bonding over their love of coffee and shawarma (most of their business meetings about LocaWoka take place in a coffee shop or over a shawarma lunch).

The duo knew they were onto something when they were accepted to present their idea at Toronto’s MaRS Discovery District, a not-for-profit corporation that provides assistance to startup

To date, LocaWoka is operating in the GTA with about 300 users, and is growing daily. The type of jobs posted include errands such as grocery pickups, snow shovelling, gardening, home cleaning and handyman services, in addition to some unique requests. “My sister actually posted a task around a late-night snack urge. She said I want someone to deliver pita chips and hummus to me,” laughs Evershine.

LocaWoka not only provides a forum for odd jobs, but is a great way to foster community connections that Evershine and Bandukwala say can help people, especially newcomers, get to know their neighbours. In today’s fast-moving society, bonding with neighbours over a cup of tea on the front porch seems long gone. Most people don’t know who their neighbours are or what skills they might have.

When Evershine’s six-year-old son expressed interest in playing the drums, for example, Evershine looked online to find a music school in the area. Then he wondered if there was someone in his neighbourhood, perhaps even on his street, who plays the drums and could teach his son. He found a drum teacher via LocaWoka.

Evershine not only benefits from having his son learn the drums, but has become friends with his teacher and from that one interaction, feels more connected to his neighbourhood. This, he says, is the biggest benefit of LocaWoka; the ability to April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

11

connect neighbours and create a local economy.

Evershine believes it’s a winning formula, especially for newcomers who are trying to forge community connections. “Not only can you make some extra money close to home, but it provides exposure to Canadian life and the opportunity to network with others and make new friends,” he says.

Although both Evershine and Bandukwala have full-time jobs (Evershine is a director of global project management at RBC, and Bandukwala a project management consultant at TD Bank), starting LocaWoka is a dream come true for these aspiring entrepreneurs. “Culturally, we’ve always been programmed to be in business,” says Bandukwala.

“Both our families have been in business for generations. We’re the first generation who has worked in a job.”

They credit their success with the support they’ve received for their startup, both from grant programs and individual advisors. “We talked to anybody who would listen to us,” says Evershine. The advice they received helped the duo grow their idea into a reality.

LocaWoka is currently available on an iOS platform, although Evershine and Bandukwala have plans to launch an Android and web-based version soon.

While growing their user base would certainly signal success, the business partners say, for them, the true mark of success comes from the comments they receive from users. Bandukwala summarizes his dream for LocaWoka: “If you can use this platform to get help or to help someone else, then that’s a winning thing.”

Photo by Alessandro Shinado

SUCCESS STORY

Shabbir Evershine (left) and Hussain Bandukwala have big dreams for their startup business.

People Helping People

SKILLS CONNECT FOR IMMIGRANTS Your career in Canada starts here.

New to Canada? Looking for work in your field? Let us help.

Lower Mainland 604 438 3045 or 604 588 7772 Fraser Valley 604 866 1645 or 604 866 0257 skillsconnect@douglascollege.ca

douglascollege.ca/skillsconnect

This project is made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.

canadianimmigrant.ca 12 14-288 CDN immigrant ad.indd April 1 2015

14-258

This program is free!

facebook/canimmigrant 1/23/2015 @canimmigrant 4:10:25 PM

4

U

SUCCESS BOOTCAMP IN CANADA

Train your brain Part 4 of our ‘Success4U in Canada Bootcamp’ focuses on lifelong learning and continuing your education in Canada

By Margaret Jetelina

L

ast month’s bootcamp article was all about career planning, and continuing your education is definitely a part of that — a big part — but the topic certainly deserves its own bootcamp instalment. So this month’s instalment of our “Success4U in Canada Bootcamp” is Part 4: Lifelong learning, and all that you need to know about upgrading your education credentials in Canada.

(Catch up on the first three instalments online at canadianimmigrant. ca under “Community>Bootcamp.”)

Bootcamp in 6 parts

1. Building a solid foundation 2. Behavioural and soft skills 3. Career planning 4. Lifelong learning 5. Health and wellbeing 6. Relationships and community

PART 4:

Lifelong learning Thinking of going back to school to further your education or add a Canadian credential to your resumé? Have you been told you’ll have to retrain to get licensed in your field in Canada?

Or are you just one of those types of people that like to keep improving and learning? Let’s look at the why, what, where and how of learning in Canada.

1. Why keep learning?

There are many good reasons why newcomers should consider some more education now that they are in Canada, not the least of which are the benefits of personal learning and growth. Or perhaps they want to retrain for a whole new career and get an entirely new degree. But for immigrants who want to find work in their existing field now that they’re in

Canada, there are three reasons why continuing your education is not only smart, but often even necessary.

1. Upgrade their communication/ English and soft skills to a higher level (the importance of continuing to improve your English and soft skills was discussed in Bootcamp Parts 1 and 2).

2. Get a Canadian credential on their resumé to show they have knowledge and experience in their (unlicensed) field in the Canadian context.

3. Upgrade their skills and take exams to fulfill requirements of their licensed profession.

Phil Schalm, associate director, University of Toronto’s School of Continuing Education, says these are the three most common scenarios for newcomers looking to go back to school. “People come to us for a particular kind of career boost; a means of accelerating their careers,” he explains.

Many of the newcomers that Schalm sees already have degrees — often more than one — and just want something Canadian to wrap around their international experience. “It’s not another degree they need, but rather something Canadian they can blanket around their existing degree, giving it some heightened credibility in Canada,” he says, adding that it helps to be from a prestigious institution.

And, in terms of licensed professions, it’s often not a choice, but a requirement to get such additional Canadian-specific training, before they can get certified and practise in their field. About 20 per cent of Canadian jobs are in regulated occupations — everything from pharmacy, medicine, law and architecture to other professions, including certain

trades — (find out if yours is one of them under the “Explore Careers” section of jobbank.gc.ca).

A non-regulated occupation, on the other hand, is a job for which there is no restriction on practice or legal requirement for licences, certificates or registration. But that doesn’t mean that a Canadian employer won’t seek out candidates who possess certain experience, skills or training.

Schalm adds that even such unlicensed professional areas might have specific associations or institutes that offer optional certification, such as the Canadian Risk Management (CRM) designation. “This can provide that key to employment,” Schalm says.

“Otherwise, it’s harder to demonstrate your qualifications to employers, especially small and medium-sized business employers who don’t have the resources to check on international credentials.”

2. What to learn

So how do you find out what program to take or what school to attend?

Well, if you’ve determined your profession is licensed after your initial

research, you can find the information you need on upgrading from the regulatory body that governs your profession in your province. For example, an internationally trained accountant in Toronto could approach the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario (its website even has a tab for the “internationally educated” in the main navigation bar!).

Schalm says the regulatory body for licensed professions is the place to start. “For licensed professions, a newcomer’s first step is always to reach out to the provincial body,” he says. “You may waste your time if you go to another agency first.”

The regulatory body will offer guidance on: • having your international credentials assessed • determining what kind of training or courses you will need to take • if they don’t offer training themselves, connecting you with schools who do or any existing immigrant bridging programs in your field • explaining what examinations and fees are required before you can get your Canadian licence April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

13

4U

SUCCESS BOOTCAMP IN CANADA

Many newcomers are often surprised by how much they have to do in order to be licensed in Canada, and the process for some professions can take years and thousands of dollars. But you know what steps you have to take.

The situation becomes a little less clear for newcomers in unlicensed professions, say, business, IT or marketing. For immigrants in such fields, a good first step for information is an immigrant settlement or career counselling agency. Often, universities and colleges will have career resource centres you can visit, too. Although note that information from these sources will often be focused on their own program offerings.

“Too often, we’ve not communicated effectively to people who are immigrating to Canada in terms of helping them analyze exactly what they need [in terms of training],” says Schalm. “Very often, someone will come to Canada, and can’t differentiate what is offered by a private training college/agency versus a community college or university. And they spend a lot of time and money on programs before they eventually find the right program. That’s painful.”

Schalm says it’s critical to do plenty of research and planning, because ultimately the onus is on you to decide what to study or whether to further your education at all.

However, your research should also extend to the demand for your profession in Canada and in your region specifically. Geneviève Beaupré and Susan Qadeer, our magazine’s “Higher Learning” columnists, explain: “Most college programs and some university programs are linked to specific careers. But this does not mean that chances of employment in the field are currently good or that they will be favourable in the near future. The job prospects linked to specific studies need to be part of your research. You will want to read labour market information and newspapers, and discuss this with those who hire and work in the field. Provinces and territories vary in their needs and if you would consider moving to another part of Canada, this may increase your options.”

3. Where to learn

Where you study is intrinsically tied to what you are studying and where you are physically located. Immigrants in licensed professions will often have a required program and school to attend, while those in unlicensed professions will have more freedom to choose.

14 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

As Schalm notes above, however, newcomers sometimes waste time and money taking the wrong program or going to the wrong school, with little benefit. It’s important to understand the different types of educational choices available in Canada and what they mean. Here is a rundown: • Universities offer bachelor’s, master’s and PhDs in many fields such as arts, education, medicine, etc.

Immigrant bridging programs may also be available in certain fields.

• Colleges or technical institutes offer bachelor’s degrees and university transfer programs, but also occupation-oriented certificates and diplomas. Immigrant bridging programs may also be available in certain fields.

• Private institutions offer shortterm certificate and diploma programs that are occupation specific, for example, medical lab technicians and hairdressing. Do plenty of research on private institutes and check if they are accredited by the province.

• Professional associations in specialized fields such as accounting may have training through their own programs.

• Immigrant settlement agencies and other organizations may offer bridging and occupational programs to help transition new comers into their field.

Beaupré and Qadeer further note that you don’t necessarily have to take a full degree or diploma program.

“Sometimes a course or two is sufficient to make a difference. Taking a few key courses could ease the way in many fields where Canadian knowledge is important, including finance, hospitality, science and technology.

A carefully chosen part-time course or two can provide you with a quick overview of a particular field. This is not a big investment of time or money, and it may be very beneficial.

“If you are currently unemployed, then a longer program of study may make some sense. Some programs may also offer work placements, providing opportunities to network and to add Canadian experience to your resumé.”

4. How to learn

So, with pencil and paper in hand, what are some of the important things you should understand about approaching your studies in Canada?

Here are seven tips for successfully approaching school in Canada: 1. Approach your learning with an

open mind. You may have learned things differently in your country of origin, so be open to new methods and ways of thinking.

2. It’s important to participate in the classroom. Studies show that participating in class helps you better learn the material. Avoid the two extremes: disappearing in the background or monopolizing class time.

3. Be prepared for teamwork or group assignments. Make the best of who you end up with and build on each other’s strengths. Assign roles to each other to work on things separately or work on things more collaboratively, but you will be marked as a team.

4. If you disagree with a fellow student or teacher, or they disagree with you, remember not to take things personally. Universities and

colleges are places for dialogue and differing opinions will surely surface.

5. If you’re taking an online or distance education course, treat it with the seriousness you would an in-person class. Schedule study time on a regular basis and ensure you meet assignment deadlines.

6. Make use of resources available to learn the material, whether it’s meeting with a professor during office hours, using the library, getting private tutoring or finding a study buddy.

7. Use the opportunity to network and meet people. Instructors are sometimes working professionals who are teaching part time, or you might meet working professionals in your course there for some professional development. Don’t miss this chance to make connections!

BOOTCAMP EXERCISES

The bootcamp experience is all about doing something often, repetitively and with intensity. Here is a sampling of exercises for Part 4: Lifelong learning. Find our full list of exercises and worksheets at canadianimmigrant.ca under “Community>Bootcamp.”

1. Why keep learning?

Exercise no. 1

Learn about the labour market demand for your profession in your city and province through online research. Do prospects look good for your field? If not, how about in other areas?

Exercise no. 2

If your profession is not regulated, find out through online research if there are any optional certifications in your field that could be useful when looking for a job.

2. What to learn Exercise no. 1

Visit an immigrant settlement agency or career counselling services to discuss your options on programs and courses.

Exercise no. 2

Connect with other newcomers in your field to ask about their experiences in continuing their education.

3. Where to learn Exercise no. 1

Research and make a list of all the post-secondary schools in your area, to see what options are out there.

Exercise no. 2

Take a tour or quick visit to the campus of any school you are interested in.

4. How to learn Exercise no. 1

Set up networking channels like LinkedIn to make lasting connections with students and teachers.

Exercise no. 2

Set up a study area in your home with adequate supplies where you can study quietly. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

Immigrant

Settlement

Guide 2015

To list your agency in the “Immigrant Settlement Guide,” please contact: ONTARIO LISTINGS Ricky Bajaj: 905-273-8170 or John Zhang: 416-803-3931

WESTERN CANADA LISTINGS

Alla Gordeeva: 778-558-3397 or alla@canadianimmigrant.ca

UPFRONT Are you a newcomer to Canada? You no doubt have many questions. Immigrating can be a challenging process, with many unknowns, but the good news is that there are many resources available to help you. Seeking help at an immigrant settlement agency is going to be your most important first step in Canada. And many services are free, from English as a second language programs to settlement counselling to career help, including mentorship and retraining opportunities. The services are all aimed to help you overcome the challenges you’re facing and succeed in Canada.

Here are just some of the agencies ready to serve you in the Greater Toronto Area:

Agency

General Services and Specialty Programs

Languages

Brampton Multicultural Centre (BMC)

Not for profit, registered charity providing multilingual, culturally sensitive free programs & services to help clients enhance their community engagement while integrating into Canadian society. Programs: Initial settlement support, resumés & employment readiness workshops, advocacy with solution-focused counselling, interpretation & translation, services for youth and youth at risk, volunteer opportunities, seniors program and mental health support services in multiple languages. Reference to instructor-led LINC classes with child-minding & transportation subsidies, violence against women program and community engagement programs.

Email: services@bmccentre.org www.bmccentre.org

• • • • •

English Punjabi Gujarati French Spanish

• • • • •

Hindi Tamil Urdu Arabic Farsi

Settlement Services, Family Counselling, Senior Services and Volunteer Opportunities. Specialty Programs: English Language Training & Citizenship Classes, Job Search Workshops, Adult Day & Seniors Wellness program, Services for Women, Children and Youth, Supportive Mental Health Services Email: info@indiarainbow.org www.indiarainbow.org

• • • •

English Punjabi Gujarati French

• • • •

Hindi Tamil Urdu Arabic

Find out how to: get the skills you need to find work quickly! — Job Search Workshops Program! perfect your resumé, practise interview skills and more — Job Find Club for Internationally Trained Individuals job search effectively — with Employment Ontario Employment Services. Access Bridge to HR — a bridging program for internationally educated HR professionals Email: info@jobskills.org www.jobskills.org

• English

Settlement Services, LINC Classes (level 1-6) with child minding, Counseling, Job search, Citizenship & Immigration, Groups for Youth, Seniors & Women and Volunteering. Specialty Programs: Bridge Training Program for International Mental Health Professionals, Community Engagement Program, Community Mental health Program and Anger management.

Additional locations at Scarborough and Toronto.

Email: northyork@mnlct.org www.mnlct.org

• • • • •

English Spanish Mandarin Bengali Turkish

New to Canada? Looking for a job in your field? Need career and training options? We can help Get free advice on how to use your skills and find a meaningful career in Canada. Contact us today to speak with one of our experts. We’re a national organization and serve all of Ontario.

Contact: Elena Rakitskaya or Jim Lamarche Email: acp@nacc.ca www.nacc.ca/acp

• • • • •

English French Russian Farsi Spanish

Settlement Services: assist immigrants to integrate and become established and contributing members of Canadian society. English Language Classes are instructor-led, and supported by a computer lab. Job-specific, advanced-level Enhanced Language Training available. Supports to assist in developing the skills needed to find work: resumé/cover letter preparation, interview readiness and information about accreditation, workplace practices, Canadian employer expectations. Other services available.

Email: info@welcomecentre.ca www.welcomecentre.ca

• English

197 County Court Blvd.

Suite 303 Brampton ON L6W 4P6 Phone: 905-790-8482 Fax: 905-874-6100

India Rainbow Community Services of Peel 3038 Hurontario Street, Suite 206 & Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5B 3B9 Phone: 905-275-2369 Job Skills Employment & Business Programs & Supports Locations in York, Peel and North Toronto Phone: 1-866-592-6278 Mennonite New Life Centre of Toronto 2737 Keele Street North York ON M3M 2E9 Phone: 647-776-2057 National Association of Career Colleges 44 Byward Market, Suite 270 Ottawa, K1N 7A2 Phone: 1-866-981-6863 Welcome Centre Immigrant Services 7 Locations in York and Durham Regions Phone: 1-877-761-1155

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

15

SETTLEMENT SPOTLIGHT

Empowering newcomer families

With their wide range of services, Brampton Multicultural Community Centre (BMC) has helped many newcomer families settle successfully in Canada

“

I was stunned. I couldn’t believe that with my experience and skillset, I did not receive an acknowledgement of my resumé!” says Brampton resident Dhiman Bedi of his first months as a newcomer in Canada. Confident that his expertise as a project manager with a major bank in Malaysia would hold him in good stead with employers in Canada, Bedi began his job search in earnest right after he immigrated in 2013.

He sent out resumés applying for similar project manager positions. No one called back.

“I met Cecille Cansino from the Brampton Multicultural Community Centre (BMC) at the local library and that’s when things changed drastically,” he recounts. The BMC representative sat down and encouraged Bedi to attend the job search workshop for newcomers, funded by Citizenship and Immigration Canada. Bedi did and saw immediate results. “My five-page resumé was pruned down to two, I was encouraged to customize my resumé according to the various positions and most of all I was advised to be flexible,” he says.

BMC has been providing settlement and social services to the newcomer, immigrant and larger

community in the Peel region since 1987. Their programs are chiefly designed to enable newcomers to achieve their potential, improve their life chances and build their futures.

Director of programs and services Dima Amad stresses that the key to successful settlement is to be positive and to broaden one’s horizons.

“What helps most to integrate in Canada is to be open minded, try out new things, and most importantly go to the right people for help and support. Our programs at BMC endeavour to enhance self-sufficiency, self-reliance and capacity building of individuals and families by strengthening their abilities,” she says.

Bedi landed a plum position within three months with Tata Consultancy Services as a business system analyst and now works with CIBC in downtown Toronto as a project manager.

Bedi’s family also benefited from the large array of programs conducted by the BMC; specially services for his parents and his child.

“My parents were retired when they came to Canada. My father joined weekend English language workshops conducted by BMC at South Fletcher’s Library Branch while my mother took computer classes. Thanks to these programs, my parents are able to have their own social circles

and are not homebound and isolated,” says Bedi.

“Though employment remains a priority for newcomers,” says Amad, “most of them who immigrate with senior members of their families are seeking other services as well. Our Conversation Circles program, which is part of our Library Settlement Partnership Program, is popular with seniors; their issues are huge, they feel isolated, as there are not too many activities for them in the region. We try to fill these gaps.”

BMC continues to impact the Bedi family positively. “My father recently began an accounting and taxation practice from home, and I wanted to help him find new clients. Any guesses who I turned to for networking tips?” he smiles.

For a complete roster of services offered by BMC, go to bmccentre.org.

BMC is funded federally, provincially and municipally, and our funders include: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Status of Women, Minister of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure, Employment and Social Development Canada, the United Way, Region of Peel and Ontario Trillium Foundation.

FREE SENIORS PROGRAM

MEET OTHER SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY LEARN ABOUT GOVERNMENT RESOURCES HEALTH AND WELLNESS – TIPS ON HOW TO STAY FIT LEARN BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS SENIORS FUN FAIR AND MUCH MORE Everyone is welcome!

We speak your language!

BRAMPTON MULTICULTURAL COMMUNITY CENTRE

Connecting People, Building Communities /BMCcentre.org

16 canadianimmigrant.ca

www.bmccentre.org

April 2015

BRAMPTON

WE ALSO PROVIDE: Client advocacy and supportive counselling Information and referral Interpretation and translation services Resume and cover letter assistance Employment services and job search Mental health and family support services Children and youth programs English classes and computer programs MISSISSAUGA 197 COUNTY COURT BLVD., STE. 303 150 CENTRAL PARK DR., STE. 107 4120 RIDGEWAY DR., UNIT 42

@BMC_and_MCS

(905) 790-8482

An agency of the Government of Ontario.

Relève du gouvernement de l’Ontario.

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

LIVING

COMING HOME Urban centre, rural peace or suburban middle ground … what lifestyle are you looking for in Canada?

By Baisakhi Roy

P

utting your roots down in your adopted country is no mean task. Newcomers in Canada have to take multiple factors into consideration when deciding where to live. For the job hunter, a cheaper, transit-friendly place makes sense while for someone who’s been here for a while, a good school for their child may be top priority. Canadian Immigrant spoke to newcomers about why they chose to call where they live, home.

Small city, steady pace

Writer, blogger and communications specialist Bhaswati Ghosh does not miss the sounds of people walking on the upper floors of their former fully furnished, onebedroom basement home in Mississauga, a Toronto suburb. “Living in a basement meant we were exposed to loud noises. Matchbox windows forced us to switch on lights even during the day. I remember us being always cold even though it was peak summer when we moved there,” she says.

Ghosh and her husband Bhupinder Singh immigrated from India in June 2011 and rented the basement place as both of them did not have jobs at the time and

did not want to sign a one-year lease with an apartment complex. But the couple persevered, as there was plenty to be thankful for. “The location was great, it was a good neighbourhood with bus stops and markets nearby.

This helped a lot as we were still without a car. Our landlady was supportive and accommodating of our needs. Having the living space fully furnished was a bonus as we were not yet ready to invest in furniture before settling down in a new country,” says Ghosh.

With Singh landing a job in downtown Toronto, the couple upped and moved out of their basement to a one-bedroom condominium rental. Public transit was at hand and understandably they did not want to spend their first Canadian winter in a basement.

Their final move was to a much smaller city, London. A huge change from the hustle and bustle of Mississauga, albeit with some perks of its own. “The biggest change from Mississauga was the lower cost of living. We bought a detached four-bedroom house. In May 2013, I joined my husband's workplace, and we commute together. Our one-way

commute time is about 20 minutes, and we appreciate the fact that it's not quite as long or stressful as commuting to downtown Toronto,” says Ghosh who works as a marketing communications specialist at London Life Insurance Company while Bhupinder is an IT project manager for the same company.

Home truths

“We love that London has a slower pace, which suits our temperament. We don't miss the frenetic lifestyle of the GTA. Other advantages over Mississauga are better access to healthcare facilities (shorter wait times, more focused care) and education. We also find the local libraries have a better collection of books and DVDs than the libraries we accessed in Mississauga.”

Private corner

For Russian-born immigrants by way of Dubai, Igor and Tatiana Strelnikov, the thrill of owning a plush townhouse in the suburbs happened pretty quickly. The couple moved into the charming Joshua Creek neighbourhood in Oakville, Ontario, within less than a month of immigrating to

Canada.

“More than anything, we chose this place because it makes for a sound investment. The townhouses in this area are not more than 10 years old, the basements are all completely done and nicely furnished. All this was a huge plus for us when we locked in this home and this neighbourhood,” says the homemaker who lived with her family in an apartment in Dubai for nine years.

Tatiana loved living in cosmopolitan Dubai in an upscale neighbourhood, but prefers the quiet in her new Canadian home.

“The lifestyles differ in both cities obviously. In an apartment, you are always running into neighbours; there is more privacy in a townhome,” she says. In addition to it being approximately a 40-minute drive to work for Igor, the home schools their Grade 1 and 8 children go to are some of the finest schools in the district.

Home truths

“The size of the bedrooms in this three-bedroom townhome are perfect for our family. It’s a great neighbourhood, the perfect place to raise a family. The only thing that comes to mind, but is not a April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

17

LIVING

very big disadvantage is that we pay community fees at our current location. Having a freehold is much cheaper.”

Beachy keen

Daniel Brand loves the ocean. Not a startling fact considering he immigrated to Canada from sunny, beachy Australia. And he made sure that his first digs in Vancouver were close to the ocean. “I arrived in May of 2013, and spent a couple of weeks in the cheapest accommodation I could find simply because I knew I would be finding a proper apartment after a short while. The apartment I moved into was good and cheap with great location and a pool and right near the Kitsilano beach,” says the owner of a video production company.

Not one to leave his canine behind, Brand decided to move to a better accommodation. “I moved after two years because my spouse had a dog and we could not keep it in the apartment we were staying in. We wanted a bigger place and it to be near the beach obviously,” he says.

Home truths

“It’s a new and nice neighbourhood and still right close to the beach!”

Suburban size

For Egyptian-born Ingy, a settlement counsellor with a social service organization in Calgary, putting down roots in Canada was a tough journey. "We lived in Cairo in a big house, almost 3,000 square feet," she reminisces. House hunting for Ingy and her family began even before they immigrated in 2013. After endless rejections from landlords who preferred to rent out to local residents with a job and a steady income, Ingy's friend saved the day by putting down a deposit on a furnished two-bedroom condo in Calgary South West.

"I had three children at the time and was pregnant with the fourth, so we were a bit squashed for space. There was no backyard and no place for the kids to play," she says. The hunt for a bigger townhome to accommodate the family began and Ingy got lucky again.

They found a three-bedroom setup which was more spacious and was a definite upgrade from their

18 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

previous home. "We were lucky to find this unit in a suburban area ...

The neighbourhood is quiet and safe; the kids can play outside and it's close to important facilities," she says.

Home truths

“The kids (aged from one to nine) go to a good Francophone school and the youngest one to a day care. Public transit is close by and work is a 25-minute train ride away.”

Capital move

Finance professional Bhaskar Sabesan moved to quaint little Renfrew, a town on the Bonnechere River, located one hour west of Ottawa. The Indian-born immigrant by way of Nairobi, Kenya, settled quickly into his cosy two-bedroom apartment. “It was easy to maintain, services like garbage collection and snow ploughing were centralized, it was easy walking distance to all services and it was the closest town to the plant where I got a job,” he says.

There were issues, too, of course; the apartment was old and not in the best shape, the kitchen was tiny and there was no air conditioning for the summer.

But what prompted a big move to the capital of Ottawa were better job prospects for him and wife Ahalya who is a jewellery designer and yoga instructor. “We moved to Ottawa in 2014. We wanted three bedrooms and a little more moving space, we got tired of sharing services and I wanted a bit of yard space!” says Ahalya.

They are content in their townhome and glad to not be missing out on too many movies!

“Renfrew being a small town was quaint, but it also lacked in opportunities or options by way of work, entertainment or shopping.

Renfrew has one small theatre with two screens. Most movies don’t release there. But it was a good first experience of Canada because it was easy to get around and the people are very friendly,” says Bhaskar.

Home truths

“We are happy to be in a reasonably sized city. Previously, we had to travel to Ottawa for many things like Indian groceries, vegetarian restaurants, good clothes, furniture, etc.”

S

he challenges the methods of Fraser Institute (think tank that publishes an annual ranking of schools in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec and Ontario) by attempting to measure school performance from a different angle — all from the perspective from young families looking for a home. Serbianborn realtor and broker at Keller Williams Realty Solutions, Susi Kostyniuk comments on what first-time homebuyers look for.

What are some of the criteria for homebuyers buying their first home?

First is affordability — buyers want to get into the best neighbourhood their money can buy. Second, lifestyle choices — if they work in the city, they want to buy a condo and get into the market; a family wants to move to a suburb for a safer community.

Any particular trends you see when newcomers are buying homes?

They like to buy newer or renovated homes since most are not handy. I find that most want to be within a neighbourhood that has diverse demographics so their children can experience the mosaic of cultures that Canada has to offer. They need to be close to amenities since they have only one car or the other partner does not drive.

You are known to be an expert on school areas. After schools what are some of the most important things buyers look for?

A good neighbourhood that is safe with a low crime rate is of prime importance. Being close to amenities, conveniences, transportation and community centres are also desired. The resale value of the home is also something that is and should be an important criterion. facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

BUSINESS

| SMALL BUSINESS |

Braving business

Be Job-Ready in 5-12 Months

Healthcare 

  

Medical Office Assistant with Health Unit Coordinator* Community Service Worker* Personal Support Worker* Medical Office Assistant* *with Internship

Law  

 

Paralegal* (LSUC accredited) Immigration Consultant* (ICCRC accredited) Legal Office Assistant Law Clerk* *with Internship

Accounting & Business     

tarting a small business is commendable, but keeping it afloat deserves even more admiration. There are a lot of challenges that meet small business owners once the ship has sailed, and navigating them requires determination, hard work and level-headedness. Here’s a look at the top five challenges with suggestions on how they can be swayed.

1. Growing the business

The lifeline of any business is its cash flow, which depends on its profitable clientele. Ensuring repeatability and growth in this area can dramatically reduce stress for small business owners. However, getting caught up in operations and lack of knowledge in business development can stunt this growth.

Tips for success

Computerized Accounting Business Administration Administrative Assistant Accounting & Payroll Project Administrator

Financial Assistance May Be Available to Those Who Qualify Second Career Training Funding May Be Available The government provides qualified candidates with education funding towards training for a better career. Grants available up to $28,000 to cover tuition, book fees, transportation, and some living allowance.

647.694.3959 416.969.8845 INFO@AOLTORONTO.COM

S

Steering your way through an owner’s top 5 challenges

AOLTORONTO.COM

We Speak Your Language

Academy of Learning Career & Business College (Bay/Bloor) is registered as a Private Career College under the PCC Act 2005 and is operated by 1069195 Ontario Inc.

• Consciously carve up time in your busy week to think about growth strategies, analyzing the competition, testing new business models and reviewing impact of the economy.

• Business is all about relationships and if you’re in a business where customers aren’t coming directly to your store(s), then make it a point to regularly meet them instead; this can go a long way in not only cementing repeat business, but also fostering referrals for new clients.

• Consider unchartered business pipeline sources to possibly unlock new opportunities; being creative, open-minded and on the lookout is the key here.

2. Getting the word out

“Out of sight, out of mind” is an old adage that still holds true both socially and professionally. With numerous competitors, standing out and being in front of your customers is more vital than ever. Top that up with marketing budget constraints, and small

business owners have their work cut out for them.

Tips for success

• Discover and adhere to the right marketing channels based on your target market; know what channels appeal to them and the creativity that will command their attention.

• Start your marketing efforts on a limited segment of your target market and collect proof of your great product/service through their testimonials and feedback; use this validation as a marketing tool to attract the rest of your audience.

3. Finding the money

For many small businesses, revenues from clients may not be sufficient to sustain businessas-usual or growth needs, and searching for outside funding may become imminent. Going into debt versus giving up equity are critical decisions that small business owners must consider. Are there any other options besides going to the bank or securing angel/venture capital investment?

Tips for success

• There is plenty of federal and provincial government funding available in terms of grants, business-friendly loans and subsidies; the downside here is that the competition to secure these funds is stiff and a lot of work is required for the application process, but the time put in may be worth it since you are not giving up valuable stake in your company; to search for these funding opportunities, look up the funding portal maintained by MaRS Discovery District (marsdd.com/funding/search).

• Crowdfunding has become a global phenomenon as an alternate finance instrument and it has also been made available to Canadians including popular platforms such as Kickstarter (kickstarter.com/canada); April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

19

BUSINESS

more information and news on crowdfunding in Canada can be found at CrowdFundBeat (crowdfundbeat.ca).

• For short-term money lending, or a small fund collection at minor equity expense, small business owners can consider turning to their friends and family. But even though you are dealing with friends and family, manage the dealing professionally.

4. Keeping focus and alleviating fatigue

The health of a small business is directly related to the health of its owner, so it’s imperative for small business owners to stay fresh, energetic and alert.

Tips for success

• Even though growth for your business is important, it can quickly become a double-edged sword luring you to move at a pace that may not be sustainable; you must remember that running a business is a marathon and not a sprint.

• Focus on the things that are

in your control and don’t drain yourself by worrying about things that aren’t; this is easier said than done so it’s important to have a confidant, advisor or mentor.

• Don’t bank on running the show all by yourself. Train yourself to become comfortable with delegating to others, especially non-core and administrative responsibilities.

5. Attracting and retaining the best staff

The people (and not the idea) within any business are what makes it ultimately successful, which is what makes staffing so critical. Salaries and budget can often become inhibitors for staffing decisions, but it is important to recognize that there are other factors besides money.

Tips for success

• Create a culture that attracts and retains high performers — an environment that is enjoyable to work in and where excellence is strived for; empowering employees with relevant

decision making, recognizing them for their work and providing solid experience for their career can sometimes counter lower salaries.

• Provide benefits like flexible schedules, remote working opportunities, health insurance packages, options/equity stakes in the company and day care availability to name a few.

• Pitch your business to candidates as you would do to prospective investors; tell them about your vision and the value their efforts will make to the journey. Working with the attitude of a partner (as opposed to an employee) can be a big motivator for the best candidates to not only join the business, but also shine in their roles.

Hussain H. Bandukwala (@parwaaz03) is a seasoned management and technology consultant, project management advisor and co-founder of LocaWoka (locawoka.com), a mobile app helping busy people outsource their daily errands.

CHANGE YOUR FUTURE IN CANADA...

Become a naturopathic doctor If you are an internationally trained medical professional, you have significant training that is valuable to the Canadian health care system and to the health of Canadians. The CCNM bridge delivery for international medical professionals offers graduates of medical schools an opportunity to further their health care careers in Canada.

The Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine now offers bridge delivery of its naturopathic medical program, developed specifically for international medical graduates.

For more information:

Naturopathic doctors (NDs) are in demand as highly educated primary care providers who integrate standard medical diagnostics with a broad range of natural therapies.

visit www.ccnm.edu/img call 1-866-241-2266 ext. 245 Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine 1255 Sheppard Ave East, Toronto canadianimmigrant.ca 20bridgeFinal_ver2.indd 1

April 2015

facebook/canimmigrant 5/7/2012 @canimmigrant 10:24:16 AM

BUSINESS

Party on!

Ottawa entrepreneur Mariam Elchamaa connects Muslim women through her event-planning business

By Lisa Evans

M

ariam Elchamaa knows how to party. The 29-year-old entrepreneur launched her own eventplanning business, Expressions

by ME, in 2012. Designing weddings and birthday parties comes naturally to the Lebanese-born party planner, but balloons and tulle aren’t the only things Elchamaa’s business delivers. Fueling her passion is her business’ ability to bring together Muslim women and girls, providing opportunities for them to connect in a safe, culturally appropriate environment through fun events and activities they may not normally get to experience.

Elchamaa discovered her love for event planning while studying psychology at the University of Ottawa. The social environment on campus felt cold and unwelcoming to her. “The students were always on their own. I’d walk by girls and they wouldn’t say the Muslim greeting of peace, salam,” she says. She felt the campus lacked an outlet for Muslim girls, in particular, to socialize and decided to work with the Muslim Students’ Association to create all-girls social events, providing a safe space for Muslim women on campus to get to know each other.

Her events were called all-girls chillers “because we wanted people to go and chill,” says Elchamaa. Because the events were female-only, the girls were free to remove their headscarves and let loose. (Muslim women who wear hijabs do not normally take them off around men who are not their immediate relatives).

The chillers were a huge success. Impressed with Elchamaa’s creativity, friends who had graduated and were now getting married turned to her to help plan their nuptials. The requests continued to pour in from relatives and friends of friends. “It went

from helping people to becoming a business,” says Elchamaa. Soon, she was doing eight weddings a month, then birthday parties, Eid celebrations and even larger scale events within Ottawa’s Muslim community including the Muslim Summer Festival.

Though Elchamaa has planned and decorated celebrations for individuals from other cultural backgrounds, she has found the most success and happiness in her work in organizing events that aim to connect Ottawa’s Muslim women and provide them with opportunities to have Canadian cultural experiences that would normally be culturally prohibited.

Upon immigrating to Canada from Lebanon in 1989, Elchamaa’s parents, like many new immigrants, restricted her activities to those involving family or cultural celebrations.

“I lived a very sheltered life,” says Elchamaa, admitting her first trip to the mall was in high school.

She also never attended her high school prom.

Through her event-planning business, Elchamaa plans an annual all-girls’ masquerade prom.

“It’s open to anybody who’s ever missed their prom because of limitations like they couldn’t be around boys or they couldn’t be in an environment where everyone was going to be drinking,” she says. And since the event is girls only, hijabs aren’t required.

“The girls can fix their hair and wear the dress that they want,” says Elchamaa, who says the event draws a lot of Muslim girls in their 20s who didn’t get to attend their own high school prom for these cultural reasons.

“I don’t like to see somebody feel like they’re unable to do something that other girls are able to do because of their faith,” says Elchamaa.

“These girls want to dance to

Muslim event planner Mariam Elchamaa.

the same music they’re hearing on the radio, but the kinds of events they go to are probably tailored to their culture back home so they don’t get a chance to do that unless they go to a club, which is a no-no,” laughs Elchamaa. In keeping with cultural practices, Elchamaa serves halal meat at the prom and there’s no alcohol. “I want to open up doors for girls so that they have opportunities in a safe environment that doesn’t conflict with their beliefs,” she says.

Elchamaa also organizes a wintertime Mommy and Me Splash Pool Party. While most Muslim women wouldn’t take their children to a public pool, Elchamaa’s event provides a safe space where Muslim mothers can wear a bathing suit and have pool play time with their children in a friendly, women’s-only space.

Being a Muslim woman has helped Elchamaa grow her eventplanning business. “I feel they can relate to me because I wear the hijab,” says Elchamaa.

FORT ST. JOHN

PRINCE RUPERT

PRINCE GEORGE

NEW CANADIANS

Make your mark in Northern BC Professionals and skilled tradespeople are in high demand in Prince Rupert, Prince George and Fort St. John.

Visit northernbcjobs.com to find current jobs and resources and to connect with employers.

VISIT NORTHERNBCJOBS.COM THIS PROJECT IS MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH FUNDING FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND THE PROVINCE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA.

DELIVERED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH: FORT ST. JOHN & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; PRINCE GEORGE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE; INITIATIVES PRINCE GEORGE; HECATE STRAIT EMPLOYMENT DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY; PRINCE RUPERT & DISTRICT CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

21

| J O B S E A R C H S T R AT E G I E S |

A

h ... interviews! Who loves them? Of all the steps jobseekers have to go through, one of the most dreaded are interviews; phone interviews, group interviews, panel interviews, test interviews and multiple interviews are different or even unknown in many cultures.

In Canada, however, interviews are one of the main ways employers have to “test” whether you are a good match for the job and a good fit for their organization. (“Match” means you have the required skills and experience, while “fit” means you’ll perform and mingle well with their team, suppliers and customers.)

Types of interviews

Depending on the industry and level of the job you are applying to, you may expect the following: • Phone interviews usually happen before an in-person interview and act as a filter.

• Group interviews are usually used to hire for entry-level or not highly skilled jobs. Employers may call a group of candidates and “test” their skills.

Dreading the interview process?

Here’s an overview of different styles and questions you’ll encounter • Panel interviews have more than one person asking questions.

• Test interviews occur when employers call you for a test (e.g., typing, computer use, problem-solving, case studies or even personality tests).

• Multiple interviews are common for higher level positions.

Types of questions

Interviews feature a blend between common and situational (also called behavioural) questions. Some questions will be more technical, but most tend to be open-ended questions designed to see whether you are both a match and a fit. Here are

some of the types of questions: • Common questions are straightforward and easier to prepare for, for example, “tell me about yourself,” “can you name two strengths you would contribute to this job” or “tell me about your weaknesses.”

• Testing questions are questions designed to “test” what you wrote in your resumé.

• Difficult questions may arise when an employer questions any time or experience gaps in your resumé, your lack of experience

or lack of Canadian experience.

They may also ask are you willing to move, leave the country or work extra hours.

Are you OK with variable shifts or graveyard ones? All these and others may be questions you need to prepare for in advance.

• Behavioural or situational questions are intended to test your ability to handle conflict or challenging situations with co-workers, management, suppliers and customers. They are based on the belief that put in a similar situation, you will tend to behave in the future as you did in the past.

Some ask about the past, but some may ask you to think about hypothetical scenarios.

These test soft skills and knowledge of the Canadian workplace culture and are designed to check for both matching skills and organizational fit.

Argentine-born Silvia Di Blasio studied and worked in Venezuela for many years. She currently works as a certified career development practitioner in Surrey, B.C., and volunteers for many community organizations in her spare time.

LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT JOB? GET THE RIGHT SKILLS!

Electronic Medical Records

Hands-on, End User and Implementation Projects Programs start every Saturday

Office Clerk Diploma* Reception for Newcomers Certificate** Word & Excel Advanced Certificates**

Medical Receptionist Diploma* Medical Billing Certificate** Medical Office Procedures Certifcate**

Computerized Accounting Diploma* Bookkeeping & QuickBooks Certificates** Simply Accounting Certificate**

Small Class Size, Friendly Instructors, Financial Assistance Available * Diploma opportunities are approved vocational programs under the Prviate Career Colleges Act, 2005

Convenient location at: 55 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 703 Toronto, Ontario (Yonge & Eglinton) 22 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

** Certificate programs are not approved as vocational programs under the Private Career Colleges Act 2005

www.workingskillscentree.com facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

PRESENTS

5TH

A N N U A L

FAIR

AN OR OF S EXP COMER NEW

CAREER EDUCATION & SETTLEMENT IN ASSOCIATION WITH

BROUGHT TO YOU BY

EXCITING EXHIBITORS • RESUMÉ CLINIC • INSPIRATIONAL SPEAKERS IELTS MASTER CLASS • ACCENT REDUCTION WORKSHOP • SPEED MENTORING

MONDAY, JUNE 15, 2015 Metro Toronto Convention Centre 255 Front Street West, Toronto

FREE ADMISSION

DOORS OPEN: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

CONNECT WITH EMPLOYERS! NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES DON’T FORGET YOUR RESUMÉ & BUSINESS CARDS!

REGISTER ONLINE NOW: canadianimmigrant.ca/careerfair For Booth/Sponsorship opportunities, call Ricky Bajaj: 416.856.6304 or rbajaj@metroland.com

PLATINUM SPONSOR

PARTNERS

MEDIA SPONSORS

| C AREER COACH |

Tweet your way to a job

A

8 Twitter tips to enhance your career search

ccording to a recent Jobvite survey, more than 55 per cent of recruiters and 40 per cent of jobseekers have actively engaged in Twitter for job searching purposes. How about you? Twitter is one of the most popular social networking websites with

more than 20 million active users. These also include the very recruiters, hiring managers and CEOs of the companies that you wish to work for.

With its popularity continuing to rise, here are eight creative ways Twitter can help you with your job search strategy and online branding.

1. Start

Getting started is easy.

Set up a free profile on Twitter.com. Write a compelling, keywordrich introduction, with preferably the same professional photo of

yourself that you use on LinkedIn, for consistency. And add a link to your resumé, portfolio or blog on your Twitter profile.

2. Connect

Shortlist the top five to 10 companies that you wish to work for. Follow their main corporate Twitter account; many companies also have job-related Twitter handles, which are a great way to keep tabs on job openings. Also follow influencers and key people working for each target company.

You can also try to search “their name + Twitter” in Google for effective results. As a next step, you can begin to share what they say through re-tweets.

3. Engage

Pay attention to what those influencers are saying and what they’re sharing. Get in conversations with the influencers, ask intelligent questions, follow up with links to your best work, offer help and re-tweet the good information you see.

4. Write

Post intelligent, industry-relevant Tweets to demonstrate your skills, abilities, knowledge, and to separate yourself from the competition. Don’t just re-tweet what others are saying; create meaningful content that people care about. Be a thought leader. Google indexes your Tweets in the same way it indexes your LinkedIn profile and blogs.

5. Share

Share content that is valuable.

The more relevant contributions you make, the more others will want to continue to follow you.

Show what you are passionate about to give recruiters an idea of your personality. Keep your conversations focused on your area of expertise or job search topics.

Participate by joining hashtag

discussions related to your field.

6. Search

With recruiters and hiring managers across the globe posting jobs on Twitter, it is now serving as a mini job board. You can go to the Twitter search box and search for the roles you are interested in, find the relevant Tweets and then follow the links provided to learn more about the open positions.

7. Learn

Hundreds of career experts regularly post advice and links to job search resources on Twitter. The quickest way to find these experts is to use the Twitter search function and enter the hashtag #jobsearch, #career or #jobseeker. The amount of excellent ideas, tips, leads, news, informative articles and best practices going by all day long is amazing.

Also follow the news items, trends and industry chatter on Twitter. You can become much better versed in your field with new and valuable information.

And when you eventually get an interview with one of the companies that you are following, you will be much more prepared in the interview conversations.

8. Build

Take advantage of Twitter’s unique open platform. Twitter’s openness makes it a useful platform for showcasing your talents, personality and interests. Recruiters can get an idea of who you are, and if you would be a good fit at their company.

Twitter can be a tremendous tool to build social credibility during a job search and help you establish a strong online reputation. The reputation you build on Twitter can greatly aid your chances of finding the right position. Go on, have fun and start making your mark online in 140 characters or less.

Indian-born Murali Murthy is owner of Vantage Copy, as well as a speaker, coach and best-selling author of The ACE Books — The ACE Principle and The ACE Awakening.

He is also chairperson of CAMP Networking Canada. See poweroface.com.

24 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

DRIVING Sponsored by:

P

urchasing a vehicle can be an exciting but also a challenging task if you don’t take the opportunity to evaluate and separate your wants and needs.

Keep reading to learn tips on how you can avoid buyer’s remorse and ensure that you end up with the right vehicle for you.

Car choices What’s the right type of vehicle for you?

Consider your needs and wants

By Ronald D’Souza

Know your needs

Before you look at style, colour or extras, it’s important to establish what you require out of your vehicle when deciding which one is right for you. First, determine how many passengers you will be transporting regularly. For example, if you drive alone most of the time and value a comfortable driving experience, a mid-size sedan might be your best bet.

Have a large family? Consider a minivan. Need to tow? Look at a truck or SUV, and check their maximum towing capabilities to ensure it fits your needs.

Do you drive a lot?

If you do a lot of driving in general and want to save on gas, be sure to look at vehicles with smaller fourcylinder engines. Many mid-size sedans and compact crossovers offer four-cylinder options, and they deliver excellent real-world fuel economy. Don’t forget to consider alternative engine powertrains as well, such as diesels and hybrids.

Where do you drive?

You should also factor in the type of driving you normally do. If you do a lot of city driving in an urban environment, a compact car or

8 tips newcomers need to know 1. Go online and look at realworld fuel economy figures with the vehicle you are considering.

Make sure the engine, transmission and drive train configurations are the same.

2. Read user reviews to get an idea of vehicle initial quality and

days, picking the right trim level and options can quickly see your purchase price spiral out of control.

Consider which options you would appreciate on a regular basis. Heated seats, a heated steering wheel, air conditioning, power moonroof, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a nice audio system would surely go a long way in helping you enjoy your daily commute. Be sure to think twice about the features you will actually use before you decide which vehicle and which package you choose. More modern features, like navigation and in-vehicle WIFI, both available with selected 2015 Buick models, allow you to stay connected and make your daily commute more convenient.

Know your limit

crossover might be your vehicle of choice, due to their smaller dimensions and manoeuvrability.

Will you be encountering heavy traffic conditions? Larger vehicles are cumbersome to navigate through traffic, and their extra weight requires a lot more fuel to accelerate and stop repeatedly at slower speeds.

But a truck, SUV or car with all-wheel drive (AWD) might be worth the extra fuel cost if you live in a rural setting or spend your weekends outdoors, doing activities like camping and biking. These types of vehicles will provide you with added security and traction in inclement weather conditions or on rough roads. long-term reliability.

3. Carefully consider IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) crash-test ratings. Many articles and videos are available to consumers online.

4. Decide if having a new car under warranty is important to you.

Not everyone is an ideal candidate for purchasing a used vehicle

Safety first

Above all, it’s important to ensure your vehicle has a high safety rating and is equipped with the most safety features your budget can permit. Anti-lock brakes, traction and stability control, as well as side and curtain airbags are critical options to have, as they aid in accident avoidance, as well as protect you and your passengers in the event of a collision. Newer accident-avoidance features like pre-collision warning, collisionmitigation assist and blind spot monitoring are also useful and can literally be a lifesaver.

The extras

With plenty of high-tech features available on all new vehicles these and the potential headaches and risks associated with it.

For many, purchasing a vehicle is the second biggest purchase they make, after buying a home. So evaluate your personal financial situation before signing on the dotted line. Consider leasing if it meets your needs. Purchasing a pre-owned vehicle is also an option, but you should have the vehicle inspected and checked out by a mechanic before committing.

With any vehicle — new or used — it is beneficial to take your time, shop around and visit different dealerships to negotiate the best deal possible. Keep an eye out for low financing rates, manufacturer’s rebates and promotions as well. Purchasing a vehicle can be a fun and exciting experience, just remember to think and rethink your needs and wants to help prevent any buyer’s remorse in the future. more to service.

5. Sleep on it; never rush into making major purchase decisions, such as a vehicle.

7. Before you commit to any particular vehicle or vehicle type, look at how much the vehicle will cost you to insure.

6. Consider maintenance costs: a vehicle with AWD will require more maintenance (and potential repairs). Similarly, a six- or eight-cylinder vehicle will cost

8. In most cases, desirable features like an automatic transmission, air conditioning, power windows and locks will help with resale value.

Disclaimer: The content is produced and owned by Canadian Immigrant magazine. All content provided here is for informational purposes only.

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

25

COME FIND YOUR DREAM HOME!

SUNDAY

APRIL 12, 2015

WHY RENT WHEN YOU CAN OWN A HOUSE

Gold Sponsor:

12 PM to 6 PM Home & Investment Fair www.newhomefair.com

Partners:

Embassy Grand Convention Centre 8800 The Gore Rd, Brampton, ON L6P 0B1

FREE ENTRY! Look out for: • Exclusive information about upcoming projects in the GTA • Expert advice from leading realtors • Incredible bonus offers from builders!

• Up to 70% off on furniture, décor items and many more services • Low-low mortgage rate offers • Exciting FREE Seminars by the Experts!!

Vastu & Feng Shui seminar: Learn Basics of Vastu Shastra and bring Peace, Prosperity, and Happiness to your dream Home (by Kalpesh Joshi) Let the Taxman pay your down payment seminar: Learn how to own a house without paying downpayment (by Navtaj Chandoke)

FIRST 100 GUESTS TO RECEIVE A COMPLIMENTARY GIFT For details call 416.856.6304 or 416.346.0142

Production Partners:

Media Sponsors:

WELCOME TO CANADA

Financial First Steps

Brought to you by:

A PLACE TO CALL HOME Are you ready to be a homeowner?

Y

ou’ve been in Canada for at least a year, have settled in, found good employment and have built up some credit history. The next step for many immigrants is home ownership.

You are excited about taking this step, but there are still many things to cover before you actually make the move. After all, you are making one of the biggest purchases of your life. Understanding the homebuying process will help you make the right decisions.

To get to the right decisions, you need to start with the right questions. Start your home-buying process by asking yourself the following: • Which neighbourhood is the most suitable for you and your family?

• Do you want a single-family detached home, a townhome or a condominium?

• Do you want a home that’s “move-in ready” or a “fixer-upper”?

• What are your needs versus your wants?

• How much can you really afford?

Location, location, location

As the saying goes, location is one of the most important criteria in a new home choice. Things to consider when choosing a neighbourhood and street:

• • • • • •

safety of the area diversity noise proximity to facilities, such as schools and community centres access to public transportation distance to your workplace

Home type

You may dream of having a single-family detached home with a backyard to call your own, but depending on the city you live in Canada, you may only be able to afford a multi-unit home. For example, many first-time homebuyers opt for a condo apartment in a mid- or high-rise building, or a townhome/rowhome, which shares a wall with other units in the same complex. While multi-unit housing options tend to be less expensive, they also often carry with them monthly strata fees and rules to abide. On the plus side, there’s a lot less maintenance that you have to handle on your own, compared to a single-family home.

Old or new build?

Another decision you’ll face is whether to buy a brand-new structure or a resale home that is a few years older. While a new home holds a lot of appeal to prospective buyers, you will likely get more for your money if you buy an older home (and you won’t have to pay sales tax on the purchase price!). Older homes tend to be on larger lots of land and will be cheaper than a comparable new home, but you may also have to do some updates and renovations.

Needs versus wants

Most of us have a clear picture of what our dream home should look like, but it is important to know the difference between a “want” and a “need,” especially for a first-time homebuyer. You may want that doublecar garage and extra en suite bathroom, but is it really a necessity? What can you live with or without?

What can you afford?

Finally, ask yourself how much you really want to spend on a home, including the initial down payment and monthly mortgage payments.

Talk to your banker about what will work within your budget.

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

27

WELCOME TO CANADA

Financial First Steps

Brought to you by:

CANADIAN MORTGAGE BASICS What are the building blocks of a mortgage?

W

hen it comes to understanding how mortgages work in Canada — and the different types available to you — let's first look at the basic building blocks of every mortgage. Every mortgage is typically made up of the following elements:

Principal

The principal is the amount of money you borrowed from a lender (typically a bank) for a new mortgage that will have to be paid back.

Interest

Interest is what the lender (again, typically a bank) will charge you for the privilege of borrowing the principal you'll need to have a mortgage and buy a home with. Interest rates vary from lender to lender, which is why it’s a good idea to shop around to see which bank or creditor will offer you the best rate. Interest rates fluctuate depending on the market, the time you choose to buy and the type of mortgage you choose. The interest rate will determine how much you end up paying in total on your mortgage.

Down payment

A down payment is the amount of money you pay for the home upfront.

Mortgage insurance

When buyers have less than 20 per cent of the value of the home to give as a down payment, they also need to factor in the price of mortgage insurance, which is then required. In Canada, this insurance is usually provided by the government-sponsored Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation or the publically traded Genworth.

Deposit

This is a sum of money that you deposit in trust when you make an offer to buy a home. By “deposit in trust” what this means is the amount will be held by the vendor's broker, agent, lawyer or notary until the entire transaction if finalized and closed.

Closing costs

Closing costs are the expenses associated with buying real estate. These costs can include legal and notary fees, disbursements, property and land transfer taxes, adjustments for prepaid property taxes, etc.

Amortization

This is the time that you will have to make all the regular payments to pay off your mortgage. Typically, the amortization period in Canada is 25 years.

Term

A term is the length of your mortgage agreement (usually one to five years). When your mortgage’s term expires, the balance of the principal owing can be repaid or you can set up a new mortgage agreement that reflects current interest rates.

WHAT TYPE OF MORTGAGE DO YOU WANT? No two mortgages are exactly alike. Depending on your financial circumstances, your preferences and risk threshold, there are

several types of mortgages to choose from. Here's a chart showing the major options in Canada:

Closed mortgage

A closed mortgage cannot be renegotiated, refinanced or prepaid before the mortgage matures.

Open mortgage

An open mortgage allows you the flexibility to repay the mortgage at any time without penalty.

Terms are usually shorter and interest rates higher.

Fixed-rate mortgage

A fixed-rate mortgage is where the rate of interest is fixed for a specific period of time, i.e., the entirety of the mortgage’s term.

Variable rate mortgage

This type of mortgage allows the rate of interest to change as other market conditions also change.

Historically, variable rates are lower than fixed rates, but there is more risk involved, should interest rates increase dramatically.

Conventional mortgage

A conventional mortgage does not exceed 80 per cent of the purchase price of a home.

High-ratio mortgage

If you are unable to present a 20 per cent down payment, your mortgage has to be insured against possible payment default by a mortgage insurer like the Canada Mortgage Housing Corporation (CMHC).

28 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

“Taking those first steps was easier than I thought.”

We’ve been serving newcomers to Canada for more than 100 years.

The TD New to Canada package1 can give you the financial foundation you need to help you settle successfully.

Open an account with no monthly fee.2 Get a TD Credit Card even with no credit history.3 Use Visa Direct to send money online and we’ll refund the transfer fee on one transfer per month for six months.4 Get peace of mind with Pay-As-You-Go Overdraft Protection.5 And get a savings account with a bonus rate.6 It’s our way of saying welcome, you’re going to like it here.

For details, visit a branch or tdcanadatrust.com/newtocanada 1 You must meet the eligibility requirements and provide the required identification to qualify for the New to Canada Package. We reserve the right to change, extend or withdraw this offer at any time. 2 Unlimited Chequing Account or All-Inclusive Chequing Account (the “New Chequing Account”) must be opened in order to waive the monthly account fee. The monthly account fee will only be waived for the first 6 months that the New Chequing Account is open and is limited to one account per person and the type of chequing account cannot change during the 6-month period. The monthly account fee waiver only applies to the regular/pro-rated monthly fee; all other fees will continue to apply.

If the minimum monthly balance is maintained in the New Chequing Account in any given month during the first 6 months that the account is open and the monthly account fee is not charged, no monthly account fee waiver will be applied for that month. 3 Applicant must meet all TD credit granting criteria to be eligible for a TD Credit Card. For complete details, please visit your local TD branch. 4 Visa Direct fee refund offer is only available with the opening of an Unlimited Chequing Account or All-Inclusive Banking Plan, and is limited to (1) one account per person, and (2) one I Direct transfer fee per month for the first six calendar months that the account is open. The transfer fee will be debited from customer’s account and then credited to the same account in the same currency. The credit will be processed by the 15th day of the month following the date on which the eligible transfer occurred if the account has not been closed. Customer will not receive any other notification of the credit. We may amend or cancel the offer at any time. No other applicable fees or costs will be refunded. We will rebate the most expensive Visa Direct transfer fee that occurred in the applicable month. If customer is sending money in a currency other than that of the originating account, a foreign exchange conversion will occur. Customer will be advised of the rate used for the conversion prior to completing the transaction, and we may earn revenue on the conversion. Regular account transaction fees may also apply. While recipients will not incur any charges for receiving funds through Visa Direct , they should check with their own financial institutions for any costs associated with the use of their Visa cards. 5 Subject to TD’s credit granting criteria. 6 Savings Account bonus offer only applies to a TD Every Day Savings Account or a TD High Interest Savings Account that is opened on or before the day the New Chequing Account was opened. Bonus offer is limited to 1 savings account per person and the type of savings account cannot change during the Offer Period. The bonus rate is in addition to the posted rate on the savings account and will be applied to the savings account commencing no later than 10 business days after the New Chequing Account was opened and will be effective for 6 months thereafter (“Offer Period”). Regular posted interest rates will apply after the end of the Offer Period. Bonus interest will be calculated separately and paid monthly. Interest rates are subject to change without notice. ®/ The TD logo and other trade-marks are the property of The Toronto-Dominion Bank.

WELCOME TO CANADA

Financial First Steps

Brought to you by:

MORTGAGE DOS AND DON'TS

W

hen it comes to applying to a mortgage, you'll no doubt run into challenges and the occasional problem. You can minimize your stress and frustration by keeping these simple dos and don'ts in mind:

Do …

• Go to your bank first before you start looking at properties.

• Be realistic and buy within your means. Choose a home and mortgage option that will be realistic in terms of your income, cost of living and long-term real estate goals.

• Save, save, save before you spend. The bigger the down payment you can provide, the better the mortgage you can obtain.

• Ask lots of questions. Don't be afraid to ask your bank, mortgage broker, friends and family members for advice, tips, help and assistance with the mortgage process. You don't have to go it alone.

• Know your options. There are several mortgage types and payment options available to you; decide on the best one for you before committing.

Don’t …

• Rush into anything. Have your heart set on a house, but the mortgage doesn’t work within your budget or long-term financial

New Home Fair 2015

30 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

and real estate goals? Move on.

• Forget to ask about hidden costs. When purchasing a home, the mortgage is only one financial aspect. You'll need to cover lawyer’s fees, various closing costs, land transfer tax, moving costs and other expenses. Be sure you factor them into your overall cost.

• Let a mortgage broker pressure you. If you feel that a mortgage option isn’t for you, don't take it.

You are not obligated to take on a mortgage unless you are fully ready to sign.

• Ignore the terms of your mortgage. Short or long term, take the time to really assess what’s right for you.

• Choose a property or mortgage that’s beyond your means.

Your mortgage should be no more than 32 per cent of your total monthly income. If it’s more, then move on — the house will end up owning you.

Are you planning on buying your first home, upgrading to a bigger one, or interested in investing in a home or a condo? The New Home Fair for South Asian and immigrant first-time homebuyers is coming to Brampton on Sunday, April 12, 12-6 p.m. at the Embassy Grand Convention Centre (8800 The Gore Rd.).

The show, presented by Metroland Media Group and GNA Events and Shows, is a one-stop destination for all first-time homebuyers, who will have access to information and special offers from builders, retailers and other real estate services, all under one roof.

Renowned builders including Pemberton Group, ADI Developments, Mountain View Homes and many more will be present at the show. A must-attend at

the event is the speaker series where leading experts from the housing industry including home realty investment, interior decorators and Vaastu experts will offer informative workshops on various topics.

Look out for: • Exclusive information about upcoming projects in the Greater Toronto Area.

• Expert advice from leading realtors.

• Incredible bonus offers from builders! Up to 70 per cent off on furniture, décor items and many more services.

• Low mortgage rate offers.

• Amazing door prizes and special offers; first 100 attendees get free gifts.

Admission and parking for all visitors is free. Light refreshments will be served courtesy of our hospitality partners. Bring your family and find the perfect floor plan for your next home or investment! facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

SETTLEMENT

Food for thought Winnipeg newcomers learning about eating and grocery shopping in Canada

By Rebeca Kuropatwa

W

Ayoola Sanitu had to learn to look at food differently after immigrating to Canada from Nigeria.

hen Nigerian-born newcomer Ayoola Sanitu came to Winnipeg in 2011 with his wife and now six-year-old daughter, he had good English language knowledge and professional training as a computer system administrator, which helped him get established faster than most. Yet one settlement issue that stumped Sanitu was the different approach to eating and grocery shopping. He found the food available in Canada very different than in his home country, and felt overwhelmed by the vast selection.

“In Nigeria, most of the time, you don’t go to the grocery store,” says Sanitu. “You go to the market, where you can bargain ... buying fresh, not packaged, food.”

So when Sanitu heard of a free program offered by the Immigrant Centre in Winnipeg to help navigate the maze of buying and preparing food in Canada, he signed up.

As part of the classes, instructor Val Broeska took the students to a grocery store, where they spent three hours exploring and learning where to find different items and how to read North

American nutrition labels.

Sanitu says, “We learned about the unit cost per gram of any bulk food or any packaged food, and how to compare. We looked at the nutritional value and details, and saw what to avoid.

We learned which foods have higher saturated fats and which have higher fibre content. Not just buying different brands, but comparing nutritional value of each brand.

“This is not something I did back in Nigeria.”

Sanitu and his family are now eating about half and half Canadian and Nigerian cuisine.

“Before, I might start my day with custard, which I brought back from Nigeria, which is just starch,” says Sanitu. “But now I start my day with oats, which has more fibre and is more nutritional. I can skip my lunch, because I’m fuelled up. And when I get home, I eat something … instead of eating a burger in the afternoon for lunch. This is healthier for me and is saving me money.”

Sanitu believes his newfound knowledge has great power. “One thing I learned from the class is that if you eat well, eat the right quantity and quality, you’ll be healthier.”

Before he took the classes, Sanitu says he would often get colds, but now he knows “about simple foods that can help strengthen your immune system ... spicing up your food with the likes of garlic, ginger and stuff like that — foods that fight colds and that help your body fight inflammation.”

Sanitu feels this type of program should be offered to newcomers across Canada to help them settle in, in a healthy way.

Are you new to Canada?

Are you looking to build a successful career?

ACCES Employment can help!

Our sector-specific programs help new Canadians to find a job in their field and to build their career in Canada.

Working with over 1000 employers in the Greater Toronto Area, we can connect you to companies hiring in your sector. ACCES Employment offers specialized services for professionals from the following industries: • Engineering

• Supply Chain

• Human Resources

• Finance

• Sales and Marketing

• Information Technology

Funded by:

Visit www.accesemployment.ca or call us at 416-921-1800.

April 2015

Canadian Immigrant

31

SETTLEMENT | I M M I G R AT I O N L AW |

Program fail?

What if you created an investor immigration stream that no one applied to?

O

n Jan. 28, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) launched the replacement to the federal investor immigration program, called the immigrant investor venture capital pilot program. CIC was apparently so confident about demand for the new program that it announced that it would only accept applications to the new program for two weeks, or until a maximum of 500 applications were received, whichever came first. It soon became apparent that no one was applying to the new program, and on Feb. 13, CIC quietly announced that it was extending its two-week deadline until April 15.

The question thus has to be asked … has CIC created an immigrant investor program that no one is interested in?

will need to have their net worth verified by a designated due diligence service provider, typically a large accounting firm. Applicants will presumably be responsible for paying these firms to verify the legality of their net worth. Ineligible sources of funds include family inheritances and income derived from employment at state-owned enterprises.

The program also features education and language requirements.

Prospective applicants must take an English or French language test from a designated testing agency, and achieve a language result similar to those in other economic immigration programs. As well, investors must have obtained a Canadian post-secondary educational credential or obtained a foreign-obtained credential that is equivalent to Canadian post-secondary education. Applicants who do not have a post-secondary credential must instead be able to demonstrate a $50 million net worth.

As noted above, CIC is waiting for 500 people to apply to the pilot program. However, it will not operate on a first-come first-serve basis.

Instead, CIC will then randomly select 60 applicants through a lottery for processing. The remaining applicants will have their applications returned.

Immigration matters could be tricky

Reach an Expert

A tough thing to market

It is not surprising that so few people are applying to the immigrant investor venture capital pilot program.

The major disincentive in applying is that most individuals who meet the program’s language and educational requirements will qualify for Old immigrant investor program other Canadian immigration programs that do not require parting with Under the old federal investor immigration program, investor im- $2 million for 15 years, or, if the “fund of funds” loses money, forever. migrants had to make a five-year $800,000 interest-free loan to the Prospective applicants have also expressed skepticism at the notion Government of Canada, have a net worth of CDN $1.6 million, and that they would prepare and submit immigration applications, Immigration matters could bedisclose tricky have two years of qualifying business experience. The program was sensitive financial information about themselves to a foreign governfirst-come-first-served, and applicants were not required to possess any ment (and which may in the future share this information with other English or French language skills. governments under information sharing agreements), when they cannot In 2014, the Government of Canada ended the investor immigration even be sure that CIC will process their application once submitted. program and terminated all existing applications that were in process- Because CIC has announced that it will only process 60 out of 500 aping. This resulted in roughly 65,000 individuals having their Canadian plicants, there is only a 12 per cent likelihood that the applicant’s time and effort will result in success. permanent residency applications cancelled.

Finally, an unfortunate legacy of the termination of the old investor Pilot program requirements program is that many prospective investors are simply wary of trusting Under the new immigrant investor venture capital pilot program, im- the Canadian government. It is difficult to tell a person whose permaCertified Canadian Immigration Consultants migrant investors will be required to make a $2 million investment nent residence application was terminated thatof they should now trust and Members CSIC, CMI, CapIC Graduates of the UBC Immigration for 15 years into what CIC is calling a “fund of funds” operated by the the Government of Canada with $2 million. practitioner Certificate program Member CSIC M064140 Business Development Bank of Canada. Applicants will have no say over The new deadline to apply to the immigrant investor venture capital how the “fund of funds” operates, and will have to be prepared for the pilot program is April 15.

I think that the odds that CIC will extendservices the We provide all immigration possibility that they will lose the entirety of their investment. application deadline again are higher than the odds that it The new program also requires that applicants have a net worth of will process any applicant’s application.

Federal Skilled Worker ould $10 million derived from lawful, profit-making activities. Applicants Arranged Employment Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants Canadian Immigration Con Certified Steven Meurrens is an immigration lawyer with Larlee Canadian Experience Class of CSIC, CMI, Ca and Members of CSIC, CMI,and CapIC Members of the UBC Immigration Graduates of the UBC Immigrat Rosenberg in Vancouver. Contact him Neera atGraduates 604-681Agnihotri practitioner Certificate program practitioner Certificate progra Provincial Nominee Programs Member CSIC M064140 9887, by email at steven.meurrens@larlee.com or visit Business and Investor We provide all immigration services We provide all immigr his blog at smeurrens.com.

Family Class Sponsorships Federal Skilled Worker Federal Skilled Are you an IMMIGRANT looking for work?

Residence Card Applications all immigration services Emplo Arranged Employment Arranged Immigration matters could be Permanent tricky We provide Our Skills Connect for Immigrants Program: Canadian Experience Class Canadian Experien Citizenship Applications Federal Skilled Worker Reach an Expert Provincial Nominee Programs Provincial N ominee Arranged Employment • connects your skills with B.C. Passport Applications Canadian Class BusinessExperience and Investor Business and In Employers in all job sectors US Visitor Visa Applications Provincial Nominee Programs Family Class Sponsorships Immigration matters could be tricky Family Class Spon • provides mentorship opportunities andVisas Investor Reach an Expert Work Permits, Student & Visitor Visas Ca PermanentBusiness Residence Card Applications Permanent Residence Family Class Sponsorships and one-on-one coaching Citizenship Applications Citizenship Appl Permanent Residence Card Applications Passport Applications Applic • helps you plan your career,access CitizenshipPassport Applications US Visitor Visa Applications Visa Ap US Visitor job leads,upgrade your skills and Passport Applications Work Permits, Student & Visitor Visas Work Permits , Student Visa US Visitor VisaVisas Applications earn Canadian credentials

Immigration matters couldmatters be tricky Immigration c

Reach an Expertan E Reach Reach an Expert

Neera Agnihotri

Neera Agnihotri Neera Agn

Exp Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants and Members of CSIC, CMI, CapIC Graduates of the UBC Immigration practitioner Certificate program

Member CSIC

M064140

Agnihotri Immigration Consultants Work Permits, Student VisasLtd. & Visitor Visas

Agnihotri ImmigrationImm Agnihotri

AGNIHOTRI IMMIGRATION Ph: 604-597-2284 Toll Free 1-877-597-2284 Call Today: 604.575.3800 Agnihotri Immigration CONSULTING INC. Toll Free: 1.877.277.4832 Consultants Ltd. Consultants L Fax: 604-597-2285 Consultants Ltd. Ph: 604-597-2284 Toll Free: 1-877-597-2284 gration.com www.skillsconnect.ca iho #204 12788-76A Ave. Surrey, BC V3W 1S9 Fax: 604-597-2285 / Email: info@agnihotriimmigration.com Ph:Ph: 604-597-2284 Toll Free 1-877-597-2284 Ph: 604-597-2284 Toll Free 604-597-2284 Toll Free 1-877-597-2284 www.agnihotriimmigration.com Neera Agnihotri Neera Agnihotri

urrey, BC V3W 1S9 -2285

ultants C n “The Skills Connect for Immigrants Program is part of the WelcomeBC umbrella of services, made possible through funding from the Government of Canada and the Province of British Columbia.”

Certified Canadian Regulated CanadianImmigration ImmigrationConsultants Consultant Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants and a member ICCRC–CRCIC, CAPIC. Certified Canadian Immigration Consultants and Members ofUBC CSIC, Immigration CMI, CapIC and Members of CMI, CapIC Graduates ofCSIC, the Graduates of the UBCofImmigration Graduates the UBC Immigration Practitioner Certifi cateprogram Program practitioner Certificate program Member CSIC M064140 Member ID: R406511 practitioner Certificate Member CSIC

We provide all immigration services

M064140

Fax: 604-597-2285 NOW 2 LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU: Fax: 604-597-22 Fax: 604-597-2285 #204 12788-76AAve. Ave. Surrey,BCBC V3W 1S9 #204 -#204 12788-76A Surrey, BC V3W 1S9 - Surrey, 12788-76A Ave. Surr #204 - -12788-76A Ave. V3W 1S9

#210-7270 Market Crossing Burnaby, BC V5J 0A2 www.agnihotriimmigration.com www.agnihotriimmigration.com www .agnihotriimmigra Me

ee 1-877-597-2284 We provide all immigration services Federal Skilled Worker

a facebook/canimmigrant @canimmigrant 32 canadianimmigrant.ca April 2015 tion Arranged FederalEmployment Skilled Worker Canadian Experience Class

Arranged Provincial NomineeEmployment Programs W o r k e Canadian Class Business andExperience Investor Family Class Nominee Sponsorships y m e n Provincial Programs Permanent Residence Card Applications Business and Investor Citizenship Applications c e C l a Family Sponsorships Passport Class Applications P r o g r US Visitor Visa Applications Permanent Residence Card Applications

s Ltd.

Work Permits, Student Visas & Visitor Visas

BACK PAGE

Top

Newcomer tips from our RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants of 2014!

Tips

M K

“

Canada provides us with a beautiful lifestyle and safe environment. And it is our moral responsibility to give back to the community. When you help, support and guide another individual, you gain more satisfaction, love and respect than you gave.

” “

N F Get involved in the community by volunteering, and integrate with Canadians. Don’t be too shy to ask questions.

If you are a professional person, pursue a career in your field. If you have to take an exam to do so and do not pass, try again and again until you succeed.

VOTE FOR AN INSPIRING IMMIGRANT FOR THE RBC TOP 25 CANADIAN IMMIGRANT AWARDS OF 2015 AT CANADIANIMMIGRANT.CA/RBCTOP25 FROM MARCH 19 TO MAY 11.

”

Since 1979

34 canadianimmigrant.ca

April 2015

facebook/canimmigrant

@canimmigrant

IT’S TIME TO VOTE! We received hundreds of inspiring nominations for Canadian immigrants who have made a significant impact since their arrival.

Now it's your turn to help choose this year's winners. Vote today.

Canadianimmigrant.ca/rbctop25

MichaĂŤlle Jean 2009 Winner

Title sponsor:

Yasuko Tanaka 2010 Winner

Guilherme Dias 2011 Winner

Presented by:

Commodore Hans Jung 2012 Winner

Associate sponsor:

Zahra Al-Harazi 2013 Winner

Gentil Misigaro 2014 Winner

Media sponsors: